Internal-combustion engine



J. HENDERSON.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLlcATloN FILED our. a. |917.

Patented Sept. 7, 1920.

1. HENDERSON. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICA-TION FILED OCT. 8, i917.

11,352, 1 27. Pafentedsept. 7,1920.

2 sHEETs-sI-IET 2.

JOHN HENDERSON, orv Grimace, iLLiNors.

.INTERNAL-corrie Specification ofl applicati@ flied' october e To @il 107mm t may conce-171i.' g f Be it known that I, VJOHN "lrlnNDirasoN,I subject of the King of Great Britain,V and a resident of Chicago, county 'otCook7 and State `of Illinois have invented certain new n 7 p and usetul Improvements in lnternal-Com-- bustion Engines, oli' whichthe ollowing'isl a specilication. Y j

rlhe main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of internal combustion engine; to provide an improved construction andl arrangement of the cylinders and pistons inthe formationof a multicylinder unit to provide animproved construction and-arrangement of the working andV pumping chambers for an engine of thetwo-cycle type; to provide an improved connection ofthe pistons for controllingthe compression and expansion' of fuel gases; to provide improved A means `for 1 converting v the oscillating movement of the pistonsvinto ings in whicha rotary movement; and to provide an improved construction and arrangement'of the parts of engines'and pumps in general.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawv Figurev 1 is aV diagrammatic 4front sec-4 tional elevation of a segment of an engine lating member ,being connected byv suitable unit embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic side sectional elevation taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

A structure embodying this 4inventioncomprises a plurality of cylinders arranged: in a circle'with the axes thereofin circumierential alinement and with the' pistons thereof connected to an oscillating member wherebyV they will act in unison, the oscilratchet mechanism with a rotor whereby the movement of the oscillating member inone Y direction will cause the rotor to rotate ina j corresponding directiom and the, movement of the Aoscillating member in the vopposite'- direction will be free of the rotor.v

The Lspecific embodiment hereinshown Eis designed to operate on thevtwo-cycle principle which is well known in 'internal combustion engine construction. Accordingly the cylinders l are eachL formed with an eX- pansion chamber 2 anda pumping chamber 3 separated by a wall t. t

The cylinders l are arranged in a circle with the aXes thereof in Vcircumferential alinement witheach other and, with the exceptionl of one ycylinder,` disposed so, that vtogether UsTioN vEitefiitnj Lettersratent. j Y Patented Sept; "./i ,1; i917". serial No. `iaaafii. T

vwith'frega'rd tov adjacent cylindersvtlie eX- pans'ion cl'iambers 2 are opposed to .the

l pumping chambers 3.. The adjacent cylinders are rigidly connected together VVby webs 5 and arealso rigidly. .secured to a spider formation by means offwhich theyare rigidlynmounted to a base memberorplate 7.

Pistons are reciprocatingly mountedin the expansion'chambers 2 and other pistons 9are similarly arranged inthe pumping'` chambers 3. The pistons in opposed chambers of adjacent cylinders l are connected byy an arcuate-shaped arm or 'bar l0. j

The one 'cylinder which7 as hereinbefore explained, is not arranged lin accordance with the others, is Vcylinder 1A, whichis dis- .posed `in the opposite manner from'the other cylinders. i chamber 2 is opposed to the expansion chamber of the yadjacent j cylinder onione side and therpumping chamber" 3 is opposed to the pumping chamber of theiadjacent cylinder on the other side. The purpose of this arrangement,` as will more fully herein- That i is7 lthe expansion afterappear, isto1 provide for the return)v vmot/"ement otthe'pistonsv after they jhave completed their expansion stroke v V The reciprocating mechanismby which the pistons 8 and 9 are caused to travelback andiorth in their respective chambers in"r unisoncomprises a ring-'shapedjmemberV ll carried at, thel ends of `spokes `l2 by'whicli Vthe ring is journaledfonv a shaftl, the'a'xis of which is coincident lwith* thegaXis around.

-whichthecylinders l are arranged. Arms vlllrigidly carried onV the ringV 11 arefcon-y nectedcto the arms or bars l0 wherebyall ,of the pistons are connected'withV theA ring,

1l and are caused. to'move in' unison.V

' Theratchet mechanism by lating movement ofthe riiigll isitranseried to the rotatingmember comprises a plui'alityfof rollers lloeated infpockets 17kv formed in the face of ringl ll. which is opposed to rotating member l5. 'A These pockets are formed withii'iclinedfaces lS'so [that the rollers 16' are adapted 'to bind bej 105 the rotating member l5'. when the ring` ll,

tween said inclined facesand the face` 19 or' which the oscilj:` l

Vmoves in the direction `or the arrow 2O,v

whereby the ringll Aand member. l5 are temporarily locked together. l/Vhen thefring moves in the opposite direction the rollers are released so that thering ll .moves free of the member l5. It will thus be observed that fthe oscillation of the ring l under. the

vaction ofthe pistons 8 causes an-interm ittent driving of the member 15. y

The member is keyed to the shaft upon which the driving member, herein shown in .the form of a propeller 2l, is

y mounted. f

the inlets 211 in the vrespective pumpingA A common 'source of fuel supply, such as a carbureter22, is located adjacent to the l cylinders 1 and is lconnected bv pipes 23 to chambers 3;

Y press Communication between the respective pumping chambers c 3 chambers2 of cylinders 1 is afforded by a passage 25 controlled by aV .valve 2G. LA spring 27 normally urges the valve into its closed position and the stem 2S .thereof is arranged so that through its engagement lwith the piston 9 the opening and closing of the passage 25 is controlled as is indicated l in'cylinder 14, Fig. f1.

The expansion chambers 2 are provided with suitably arranged exhaust portsV 29 and with the'usual form of spark plugs 30,

The operation of the device shownis as follows: Y l Y The pistons 8, in all blut the cylinder 1A, move forwardly in the direction of the ar-` row 2O under the influence of expanding gases ignited by the sparkV plugs '30. The

ring 11, moving with ythe pistons, transmits `a corresponding motion to the member 15 Vburnt gases exhausted. lAttliesaine time Y thepistons 9 engage the valve stems and open the passages 25 so that the. compressed fuel in Vthe chambers 3 is admitted to t1 i so timed-that the entranceV of the fuel gases Y 20 andy force the pistons 8 to compress the c cycle engines.VY

` is just theV reverse of into the chambers 2 occurs while the portsf Vto efv 29 yare still partially uncovered so as feet the Ausual scavenging required in two- The cylinder the other cylinders, the cycle of operations that for the other cylinders, so thatasy the'pistons S in allbut cylinder 1A reach the liinit oftheir forward movement, the piston 8A has completed the compression of fuel gases in the cylinderl1^, and which are ignited so as to drive the piston 8A in a direction opposite tothe arrow fuel gases in their respective chambers 2.

As the cylinders 8 are thus moved to coinvpress the .'gases intheir respective cylinders,

and the expansion il@ i chambers 2. YThe opening of the valves 28 is 1A being disposed opposite to i the ring 11 is moved ina direction opposite to the arrow 20 and the pistons 9 are 'i'etracted so asfto draw lin a quantity of fuel gas into the chambers 3 preparatory to again compressing'it for transfer to the chambers Y` 2. lhen the pistons 8 have completed their full return stroke, ignition takes place and they-are again driven forward in the direc- Vtion ofthe arrow 2O so thatthe cycleof Yoperations just explained is repeated.

Asi the cylinders 8 are being movedin the Adirection opposite the arrow 20 to'compress the gases, the piston 9A is beingmoved' so .Y as to lconfipress'the gases A,in its respective.

pumping chamber and transfer, them into the chamber 2 preparatory to beingfcom-V pressed as the pistonSA is returned through the movement of the pistons 8..`

/Although butone specific embodiment of 'this invention vhas been herein ,shown and described, it will be understood that numei ous details of the construction. shown may be altered Voi omitted without.v departing from the spiri".J of this invention as defined by the Vfollowing claims. Forthe purpose` of .conciseness and clearn'ess, *I have conlined theforegoing description toa specic example' of the applicatioiioftheinvention to an internal combustion V engine of the two-cycle `type, but it will be readily seen that many of the Lfeatures ofA construction herein shown are applicable yto other types of Vheat engines, Vvpumps, and compressors.

lclaim:

1. In an internal ycombustion engine the" f combination .ofaplural'ity of cylinders, ,each

comprising apui'nping vcliairibei*and anfer-` 'v'pr-.nsionl chamber;v said cylindersbeing Var.V

ranged in a circleandl disposed with the pumping chamber of one4 cylinder"opposedl to theV expansion'chamber of the adjacent cylinder, Vmeans providing communication i between the'a'djacent'p'u ipiiig "and expansion cylinders for trans iriijig gas from one ,to the other, pistons in said chambers, means connecting the pistons inv opposed chambers, an oscillating'member connected to said piston-connecting means, arrotating member, andfmea-ns connecting'rsaid oscillating member with saidrotating member.y

2. ln aninteinall combustion,engine, the

iio

each comprising a pui'nping chamber and an expansion chamber-,said cylinders being arrangeiil in a circle and, except one, alll disposed -vitli the puiiiping'ehamber of one cylinder opposed 'to the expansion chamber of the adjacent "cylinder, saidk one cylinder being arranged with Vits, expansion Vcl'ia'mber directed in 'a "direction on Jositeithat of the expansion chamber of the othercylinders and with itspumping chamber 'correspond- Y ingly arranged with regard to the pumping chambers of'said other cylinders, means providing communicationl between the pump# Y pansion chamber, said ycylinders being ar-v -rangcdin a circle and disposed with the ing chambersand the respective expansion.

chambers for transferring gas from one to another,v pistons liii said-chambers, means connecting the pistons in opposed chambers, Y an oscillating member connected to said Ypiston-connecting means, a .rotating member, and means connecting said oscillating memf bei' with said rotating member.Vr

3. ln an internal combustion engine, the

combination or a plura1 comprising a: pumping chamber and an expuinping chamber o' one cylinder opposed to th'ocxpansion chamber ot the vadjacent cylinder,4 pistonsl in said chambers, means connecting the pistons in opposed chambers,

an oscillating member connected-to said pisv ton-connecting means, a rotatingfmember,

means connecting said oscillating member with said rotating member,a common source of fuel Asupply connected with each ot said pumping chambers,'and valve mechanism controlling communication between the vpumping chamber oicach of said cylinders and its respective expansion chamber.

4. ln an internal combustion engine, the combination of a plurality of cylinders, each comprising a pumping chamber and an eX- pansioii chamber,v said cylinders being arranged in a circle .and disposed with the pumping chamber of one cylinder opposed to the expansion chamber of the adjacent cylinder, pistons in said chambers, means connecting the pistons in opposed chaiiibei's,` an oscillating member connected to said pis-v ton-connecting means, a rotating member, means connecting said oscillating member with said rotating member, a common sourcev of it'uel supply connected with each ot said pumping chambers, and valve mechanism controlling communication betweenv the pumping chamber of each ot' said cylinders and its respective vexpansion chamber, the

operation of said valye mechanisms being v regulated Vby the respective pumping pistons.

In an internal combustion engine,-the combinationof a plurality of cylinders,each

comprising a pumping chamber and an eX- pansion chamber, said cylinders being arranged in a circle-aiid.disposed with the direction will cause the rotation oli' said ro- "y of cylimflers, eachl oit' the z for trans' tating member `Vin the sameA direction-'and 'f' the moyementfof said oscillating member in` the opposite direction will be tree of said rotatingr member, vall l'geing.arranged to osvcillatey said oscillating member and thereby rotatev said IrotatingV member.

. ln an internal combustion engine,lthe1. n combination. oi a plurality orn cylinders, each vcom'prising'a puijnping chamber-and an feX- v C i pansion chamber, said cylinders being ar'- ranged-'in a l'circle and disposed vwith"the pumping cl`- .i ioero onecylinder opposed" to thel expansion' chamber. of theV adjacent Y f cylinder, means proriding .communication Y between the pumping chambersand the Vlrre'- spectiveV expansionv ,chambers for lQtransl'eiring gas trom one to another,pist'ons:in

said chambers, means connecting the pistons in. opposed chambers, an oscillatingmember and a rotating member gconcentricallyj jour-1 naled relativo; to each other and tesa-id cylinders,.means connecting said-,oscillating member with Vsaid pistons', sai-d oscillating i member having pockets tormednthe face thereoi' Vopposed to said rotating member,

and rollersarranged in said poc-lretsand adaptedr to bear between said members'so as to constitutev ratchet mechanism', whereby the movement of said oscillating'member iii one direction will cause the rotation of said rotating member in a corresponding direction and the movement of said `oscillating free otsaid rotating member, allbe'ing arranged to oscillate'. said ,oscillatingY member and thy by rotate said rotating member.

7. .ln .internal combustion engine, the combina n ot a plurality 01"' cylinders, each comprising member in the .opposite direction will lbe ico a pumping chamber and 'an eX- ,Y

pansioii chamber, said cylinders being ar-V i ranged in al circle and,'eiic`ept one, all d is-` posed vwitlrthe pumping .chamber ot' one' cylinder opposed lto the expansion chamber f,

being aiianged with itsexpansion chamber acent cylinder, said? one cylinder,

directedin a directionV opposite that of theexpansion 'chamber ofthe other cylindersf,4 y and withits puniping chamber correspond# ingly arrangedlwith regard to the pump'-` Y.

ing chambers of said Vother cylinders, means Yproviding communication fbetween Vthe pumping chambers and y the' respective Yen'pension chambers for transterringgas 'from one to another, pistons in ksaid cham-- bers, Vmeans connecting the pistons in opposed chambers, an oscillating member vconnected to said piston-connecting means, aV

rotating member, and rate iet mechanism connecting said oscillating Vmember with` said rotating member, whereby the'inovement olf said oscillating member lin one di-Y rection will cause the rotation of said rotating iber in the same direction and the moveiiie ot' said oscillating member in the opposite direction will'bevtree oi said rotatngr member, all .being Aarranged"to oseil-V -lete sir-id oseletng vmember `'and thereby Yrotate said Yrotating' member.

l 8.*111 en Vinternal(combustion engneythe combination o1 'e pr'alty of cy1nders,eaeh `comprrsmg e pumplngehember and an expensive-nf emnimer, Y :Seid eylndere being Lrranged 1n e clreleand, except` one, ,'elldrswith its expansion e dlreetren opposite `1 (Twin, ft2 l 1 enano@ e e ou 1er the -opum'png Chambers of Seid, other eylrr yders, means providing Communication be t'ween'fthe pum'pmg ehambereV and the rel2()VV spectve expansion' Chambers for tra-ns-v ferrlng gas from one to another, plstonsy 1n ,said ehambers lmeans oonneotnrthe stons Y Y v a:

in ogposedehembers, en oseilhrtng member end L romtmg member 'coneentrl'oahy Jour- Vneled reletiwev to each other end Vto Seid eylmders, means oonneetmg eend-oserllegmg member VWrth sind plstons, 'said Voselllet-ng:v

member having poeketsormed'n the fece 'thereof or posed io seid" rotating member 30 end rolers arranged in Said pockets and edepted t0. beer .between'sed members'so as to constitute ratchet` mechanism, whereby the movement of seid oscillating member in. one drreetron will ermee thev ro'tetron of saldoV rotating memberI in e eorreepending directlon'and the movement of Serd. oeelefjmg member in the opposite direction Ifl ree of seid rotating member, allbeing rranged te oscillare seid oseleting member Y end thereby rotate sind rotating member.

n Oetober,`

Signed et Chicago this 2d dey JOHN HENDERSON. 

